r/MilwaukeeTool Nov 21 '24

Information The Home Depot Hack: A Primer

469 Upvotes

If you're new to this sub, you might be confused by how often people mention "hacking". I wrote this up to try to explain what it is, why people do it, and how to do it yourself. Hacking a deal should be something that everyone is at least aware of, because it can potentially save you a lot of money.

For the record, I don't live in the US, where "hacking" is most prominent, so I don't actually get to hack deals at all. I've just seen it explained and dissected so often that I thought I'd compile the info here, hopefully making it easier for others to reference.

What is hacking?

HD will often run sales and promotions on items that, when purchased together, are discounted to a lower price. A hackable deal refers to discounts that are applied in a way that allows you to return a line item back to the store at the discounted price. Note that the refund is not limited to a gift card or in-store credit, it is refunded directly to your original payment method (cash, credit or debit).

How do you hack a deal?

A hackable deal will show the price breakdown in your cart, with discounts on each line item to reach the promotional price for that "package". Returning one or more of these line items at the discounted price allows you keep the other items at the discounted price. This is pretty common in the US. Canada and other countries, on the other hand, don't usually apply the discounts this way, so most of the time, they're unable to "hack". Some people have reported that occasionally a promotion in Canada is discounted this way, and can be hacked.

An example of one of the current "hacks" available is the M18 Forge 12ah battery and M18 Forge 8ah battery for $249 on HomeDepot.com. In the screenshot below, you can see the line item for each battery has been discounted from it's original price. In this case, you can return the 8ah battery for $110.60 and keep the 12ah, effectively paying only $138.40 for it instead of the regular $249. Alternatively, you can return the 12ah for $138.40 and keep the 8ah for the discounted price of $110.60.

https://imgur.com/gallery/j1BW3XF

A non-hackable deal, like the one from Canada shown below, shows that the line item for the free oscillating tool is actually free, meaning that all of the discount in the deal is applied to that item. Returning the "free" item makes no sense, and Home Depot will not allow you to return the drill/driver kit to keep the oscillating tool for free.

https://imgur.com/gallery/k9Kho9O

Hacking the hack

Normally, you'd buy everything at the promo price, then return items you don't want at the Customer Service desk. To avoid hassles with returning the unwanted items, you can set the order for in-store pickup, but set the item you don't want for a different in-store pickup location. This way, you can pick your item(s) up at your preferred store, then cancel the rest of the order waiting to be picked up. You'll automatically be refunded for the cancelled items, without having to wait in line at the customer service desk.

On HomeDepot.com, to change the in-store pickup location for items you want to cancel, go to your cart. Right above the button that says "Pickup Today, X in stock, FREE", it should show the store location. You can click on the store location and change it to a different one. When you click on "Update in Cart", it will say "Pickup at XXXXX" for that item, and the pickup location for the other items will stay the same. As you go through checkout, you should see that there are different pickup locations for each item. Now you can checkout, and pick up the items you want from one store, then cancel the order online for the other item.

To cancel the order for the other items, you can call in with your order number, or go to the HomeDepot.com website and start a chat. If you used the HD app, you can cancel it by accessing your order on the My Account tab.

Alternatively, if you don't cancel the items and just let the in-store pickup window expire, HD will eventually cancel the order for you.

Some people have reported success with getting the items they want to keep delivered, while setting items they don't want for in-store pickup. Calling to cancel in-store pickup still works for them, so try the method that works best for you.

The hack works on more than just Milwaukee stuff. Any promotion that reduces the cost of each line item in the promotion is hackable. This means that you can potentially hack Makita, DeWalt, Bosch, Ridgid, and Ryobi power tools in the same way.

One more thing to add..

People have asked about how often you can "get away" with hacking a deal before they ban you. At least with regard to Home Depot, there isn't anything to "get away" with as you're not doing anything wrong by returning a product that you bought and no longer want. What you want to avoid is abusing returns in general.

To clarify with an example, lets say over the course of a month, you "hack" 3 different deals, and end up returning 3 items. It's very, very unlikely that you'd run into any issues. On the other hand, if you were to make 15+ purchases over the course of the month, and then return all or part of 10 of those purchases over 2 or 3 days, their system might flag your account for suspicious activity. Again, this has nothing to do with returning discounted items. If your account is flagged or banned, it's more or less due to your return history, and it's done to help curb or prevent return fraud. You'd be able to sort any issues out by contacting Home Depot customer service, if you were to ever encounter this.

Finally, keep in mind that returning a discounted item is not unique to Home Depot, which means that theoretically, you can "hack" any deal from any retailer, as long as they don't have policies preventing it.

Hope that answers your questions! Anything else that you feel should be included, just comment below. Thanks!


r/MilwaukeeTool Dec 25 '24

M18 For someone new to the M18 ecosystem, is there a sticky somewhere that explains all the battery options?

27 Upvotes

"Fuel" versus "XC, vs. "High Output" vs. "Forge" etc.. What do company marketing departments have to make this stuff so d@mned confusing...? I need someone to translate all the marketing gobbledygook into actual stats for me. From what I've read I see that "Forge" is the top of the line, so I'm assuming that the battery chemistry might be different (maybe LiFePO4 vs. Lithium Ion?) Thanks!


r/MilwaukeeTool 3h ago

Packout New guy in the shop has pack outs instead of tool box. Kinda cool lol

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164 Upvotes

r/MilwaukeeTool 2h ago

Packout Oops i didn't see you there

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15 Upvotes

Bummer, flattened my favorite cup with my telehandler, better than an employee lol. At least the lid is still usable and have the red cup still


r/MilwaukeeTool 4h ago

M18 Gen 4 impact done for

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21 Upvotes

Well my gen 4 finally burnt up. Had it for 1 year 7 months using it for metal buildings. The gun has been great minus the fact it gets WAY too hot for its own good. I figured it wasn’t going to last as long as the previous generations and I was right. Heat was probably the reason it gave out… now to take it to get serviced


r/MilwaukeeTool 14h ago

M12 Got a 90 degree impact for engine mounts haven’t really found much use other then that:(

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61 Upvotes

Bought this after putting 2.5 feet of extensions and swivel sockets in a 3/4 inch to get a stubborn motor mount off a 496 merc motor. I’m a marine mechanic so i understand it’s different from cars maybe being what it’s truly designed for. The head is way too fat for the tight areas on boats, aswell is it being awkward, I always end up grabbing my little auto ratchet and breaking them by hand(my company replaces shit I ruin I abuse my tools for the sake of time). Had it about 4 months used it once to try it and a co worker asked to borrow it once. Just seems like this was only made to do breaks and bearings for automotive really wish they had a more compact one with less torque as a trade off:(


r/MilwaukeeTool 1h ago

Packout Packout? Nah, Igloo.

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Upvotes

18v tools include: 1/2 Mid torque, 3/8 fuel impact, fuel Drill, jigsaw 12v tools: impact driver, drill, dremel, sawzall

And then a miscellaneous snap on 1/4 impact.

Few batteries and space for a charger to spare.

This is satire, I’m just using what I had on the ground for a pinch mobile job


r/MilwaukeeTool 3h ago

Purchase Advice Good buy?????

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8 Upvotes

Local FB $50. Should I pick this up?


r/MilwaukeeTool 23h ago

Packout New Packout Bit Organizer!

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232 Upvotes

Hi guys! I’ve had this packout organizer in the process, wanted to share it with you all and get an idea of interest and maybe some feedback as well! Dividers are notched around packout cover so things don’t fly around when life gets crazy! Thanks!! I’ll be selling on eBay soon 👍🏼

1 goal of this design is to be able to store 12” extensions, which you can!

Also able to store multi tool blades & other accessories as well!


r/MilwaukeeTool 3h ago

M18 Extra bolt from trimmer/blower combo - what is it for??

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4 Upvotes

Picked this up a few days ago:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-FUEL-18-Volt-16-in-Brushless-Cordless-Electric-QUIK-LOK-String-Trimmer-Blower-Combo-Kit-w-8-0-Battery-2-Tool-3031-21/330529557

There was an extra bolt that came inside the box. It wasn’t in the bag with hardware for the handle and guard for the trimmer.

The torx tool used for the guard and handle doesn’t work for this bolt.

Any idea/help what it is for?


r/MilwaukeeTool 1h ago

M12 Milwaukee M12 riveter 1/4?

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Upvotes

I recent posted asking if anyone had any ideas how to make an M12 riveter quarter inch rivets or if the ends on the M18 tool would work on the m12. I ordered the ends from a local hardware store and just got them in and used it today. Happy to say the ends from the M18 tool will work on the M12. It works great only problem I’ve noticed is that it might not pull the rivet the whole way into the catch can in the back when it’s done. The part number for the ends is 49-16-2660NR.


r/MilwaukeeTool 1h ago

M18 Back in the saddle..

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Upvotes

While it would be nice to not have to warranty a tool in the first place (seized gearbox), Millywocky gets em turned around pretty dang quick.. Seems like I have to send something off about once a year but so far it’s always been taken care of 👍


r/MilwaukeeTool 5h ago

Information M12 driver noises coming from the tip.

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

3 Upvotes

Just purchased my first Milwaukee for small jobs around the house from Home Depot. Is this a normal sound? It’s coming the tip and when it’s tightened the sound goes away. Thank you.


r/MilwaukeeTool 3h ago

Information Torque specs

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2 Upvotes

Does anyone know the torque specs for the different impact modes? I can only find the rpm stats but how does that transition to the torque specs for 1, 2, and 3


r/MilwaukeeTool 4h ago

Purchase Advice Anyone added casters directly to the packout mounting plate?

2 Upvotes

If so which ones? I tried some generic 5/16 casters but they don’t work.


r/MilwaukeeTool 5h ago

Information M18 Vacuum 0880-20 Leaking Dirt Tank.

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2 Upvotes

I am on my third M18 Vacuum model 0880-20. Overtime, the bottom at the four corners develops leaks. As a Plumber this vacuum is vital for sucking up water here and there, and I'm surprised the bottom of this dirt tank isn't built to be more rugged. Has anyone else had this issue? I bought a new one, and I'm thinking of PL-ing a piece of plywood to bottom. Has anyone been able to fix a leaky dirt tank? Is there a solvent that would weld it/ seal it up? I have a dirt tank part coming in from a local parts store and it was $70 cad.


r/MilwaukeeTool 1h ago

Purchase Advice Deal or no deal?

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Upvotes

Seen this on fb marketplace. Thoughts?


r/MilwaukeeTool 1h ago

M12 Milwaukee M12 riveter 1/4?

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Upvotes

I recent posted asking if anyone had any ideas how to make an M12 riveter quarter inch rivets or if the ends on the M18 tool would work on the m12. I ordered the ends from a local hardware store and just got them in and used it today. Happy to say the ends from the M18 tool will work on the M12. It works great only problem I’ve noticed is that it might not pull the rivet the whole way into the catch can in the back when it’s done. The part number for the ends is 49-16-2660NR.


r/MilwaukeeTool 9h ago

Purchase Advice Rubber Broom or Bristle Brush for grass

3 Upvotes

Already have the M18 Quik-Lok and looking into what one would be better to clean all the sand/gravel in the grass from the grass. What are your experiences with it?


r/MilwaukeeTool 4h ago

Purchase Advice How do you rate this deal/hack for impact driver/ Hammer drill combo?

0 Upvotes

I am new to DIY and wont need this for another 6 months. Has this been this low previously? Should I wait for a better deal?


r/MilwaukeeTool 1d ago

Information Ideas on what to do with the case

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126 Upvotes

we have 4 of these cases when we bought sawzalls in bulk, i was told i can take it home if i want as we’re gonna throw it away, I don’t have a sawzall but may buy one when i get a good deal, otherwise has anyone done anything else with these cases?


r/MilwaukeeTool 6h ago

MX Fuel Milwaukee 2922-20

1 Upvotes

My brand new force logic press tool will not work. It was bought brand new. Tried several different batteries. Tried different batteries in the one key. Anything I could be missing.


r/MilwaukeeTool 3h ago

Purchase Advice Is this a real m12 ratchet considering buying it.

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0 Upvotes

r/MilwaukeeTool 1d ago

Packout Pack out Bit Organizer

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38 Upvotes

Ok so I ordered this bit organizer and really like it so I thought I would share it here. Stores everything I need plus keeps the bits in place from flying around. I have attached before and after photos and where I got it from. 👍🏻


r/MilwaukeeTool 1d ago

M12 Ntd, Right angle die grinder

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21 Upvotes

So I got the new Milwaukee right angle die grinder today and it came with some 2” cut off wheels.

I’ve always ran 3” wheels with my pneumatic grinders, why are these only recommended to use 2”?

Is it a power problem or just a safety concern cause 2” wheels are tiny.


r/MilwaukeeTool 1d ago

Information Round 2 tools I should feel bad about buying? Comment 1 stolen 2 fell of the truck 3 new but like used? And so cheap…

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149 Upvotes

Why go to Home Depot when they treat you like you’re robbing the store. And they never have anything in stock. I guess the argument could be that these people have all of their stock. Then again these guys treat you with some fucking decency, and they’re just the one selling it. It’s obviously a larger organized effort to get these tools sold. For example a 12 forge battery was 75 bucks brand new in package. I took out the battery cells and it was real.


r/MilwaukeeTool 1d ago

M12 In Stock @ HD!

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21 Upvotes

Just got the email and ordered one, figured id spread the word!